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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Coexist?

I was driving home yesterday with my youngest son in the back seat and I passed a car with a coexist bumper sticker on the back window. I am sure you know the one I am talking about.

There are other forms, but they are all basically the same at their core design. I have seen these many times over the years. Many ... many times. I never paid them much attention other than an eyeroll in their direction. That was until yesterday.

Yesterday was different. I saw this sticker and actually gave it some thought. What is this asking us to do in society? Well, let's break it down.

The definition of coexist is:

Verb (used without object)

1. to exist together or at the same time

2. to exist separately or independently but peaceably, often while remaining rivals or adversaries

OK, that sounds basic enough. Let's take it further. What about the words exist, rivals, and adversaries?

EXIST

Verb (used without object)

1. To have actual being; be:

2. to have life or animation; live

3. to continue to be or live

ADVERSARY

Noun, plural adversaries

1. a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe

2. a person, group, etc., that is an opponent in a contest; contestant

RIVAL

Noun

1. a person who is competing for the same object or goal as another, or who tries to equal or outdo another; competitor

2. a person or thing that is in a position to dispute another's preeminence or superiority.

Now that we are all working from the same place, because we can't discuss what we don't actually know, let's move forward. If I see this bumper sticker, what is it literally asking me to do? Well, according to the English language dictionaries on hand, it's asking everyone to exist at the same time as people who are different from you in any way while NOT stopping being against them or their beliefs.

Hmm, as I look at it that way, I am following the request of that bumper sticker. I am on the planet, living with people who are 100% against me and my beliefs while I am 100% against their beliefs. I dare say I am not even trying to hurt or kill them, though that's not a full requirement (one part does mention peaceably, but we can choose that one or not).

However, I have a sneaky suspicion that's not really what these bumper stickers are requesting of us, not truly. What they are really asking is for us to lay down our differences, call them nothing, and change to what the person with the car thinks is a logical and good way of living. By the way, this isn't coexisting, this is changing others at their deepest core being or causing issues with them, calling them names, and even trying to force their compliance. Don't believe me? Look at the other stickers that often are on the same bumpers/back windows. You will see a full picture of what most of these drivers actually want.

With the reality of what these stickers are asking, I say no. I won't coexist using their twisted and personal definition. Here's what I will do:

1) I will love every person on the face of the planet with a Biblical and Godly love to the best of my ability: "And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:312) I will love God above all others in order to share the love of Christ through my actions and words: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Mark 12:303) I will never harm another person for no reason: "Thou shalt not kill." Exodus 20:134) I will stand for Godly principles in my life in all situations: "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father who is in Heaven." Matthew 10:325) I will not go quietly into the night, instead sharing the promise, grace, hope, and mercy of God's salvation message to anyone who will take the time to listen: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:19-206) I will teach my children to do the same: "And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 11:19 ... so they can go into the world as strong Godly men who love others more than themselves: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

So, I am coexisting, in fact God taught us how to coexist in the best way possible. We aren't taught to kill in His name. We aren't taught to force compliance from others to our will, or even His. We aren't taught to hate in His name. We aren't taught to demand others listen to the Gospel or die/suffer consequences. We are taught to love God, love others (our neighbor is everyone in the history of time), and to share God's promise with those who would listen. Coexist? Yes. Coexist how the world has twisted the meaning? Never. God's way or man's? The two cannot coexist. Which shall you choose?